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Friday, August 21, 2020
Vol. 80, No. 34
TOB HONORS RESCUER
Jericho schools to open fully for K-5, hybrid for older grades BY RIKKI MASSAND
Town of Oyster Bay officials present citation to Christopher Madden, who saved the lives of two teenagers who were struggling against strong currents in the Great South Bay. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Lou Imbroto, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato reunited near-drowning victims Vincent and Joseph LaGrega with Christopher Madden of Hicksville. A heroic rescuer and Town Highway employee, Christopher saved the lives of two teenagers after spotting them struggling in the strong currents of the Great South Bay. “Our community takes great pride in recognizing the amazing actions of Christopher Madden, who displayed heroism during a time of cri-
sis,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Christopher’s quick thinking and courageous actions saved these teenagers lives and had he not responded as he did, the outcome would have been tragically different. Christopher Madden is not only a Good Samaritan, but an exemplary Town of Oyster Bay employee. We commend him for this lifesaving rescue.” 17 year-old Vincent LaGrega and his family were boating and attempted to anchor closer to the shore in the choppy water of the Great South Bay. Vincent jumped into the water in an attempt to swim to the beach and underestimated the
extremely challenging conditions. He was soon struggling and drifting further away from the boat, clearly in immediate danger of drowning. Vincent’s brother, Joseph, jumped into the water hoping to save him, but soon both boys were in a weakened condition and being pummeled by the waves. At that moment, Christopher Madden spotted the boys and jumped onto a jet ski to rescue both of the boys who were gasping for air at this point. Christopher was able to bring the two boys back to the boat, and Vincent’s family credits Christopher’s actions with saving their son’s life that day.
The Jericho Syosset News Journal is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68 Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Syosset Jericho News Journal, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher
Following a 4 to 1 vote by its Board of Education on Wednesday, August 12, the Jericho Public School district will be reopening with a mixed school calendar in September, following three successive Superintendent’s Conference Days to train administration and faculty in new protocols. Children in primary and elementary levels will attend schools in-person five days a week while Middle School and High School students will alternate between in-person and online instruction every other day, following an A/B model based on alphabetical order of last names. Sorting by last names allows families with multiple students in older grades to have (both/three/four) kids in school the same day and at home the same day, no alternating schedules among family members. The organized district plan for academic year 2020-21 was approved with the caveat that any family or student that chooses to partake in only virtual learning for the first semester (to January 2021 at least) will be instructed to the full extent of the district’s capability, regardless of their grade level. School Board Attorney Chris Powers read the language of that aspect in the
August 12 resolution: “For those students/parents who request virtual instruction full-time, such virtual instruction will be provided to the students. Be it further resolved that the board of education and Jericho Schools administration will be monitoring such models and will make adjustments as deemed appropriate.” To clarify for board members, Powers stated that based on the August 12 school board discussion it is self-explanatory that this remains a fluid process adapting to and with the COVID19 pandemic and any New York State and Nassau County Department of Health regulations. Class sizes at each of Jericho’s three elementary schools will be reduced to enable social distancing and adequate spacing in district classrooms. No class will have more than 20 students. The A/B plan for secondary level students calls for school days to rotate A1-B1-A2-B2. Both high school and middle school students would remain in the two cohorts, based upon the first letter of their last name, but the A1/ A2 refers to courses that will be taught every other day. Details for course scheduling are posted on the district website, and administrators noted for viewers of the meeting that cohorts indiSee page 12
Legislator hosts food drive for needy PAGE 6 Art school reopens, online and in person PAGE 4